World Breastfeeding Week 2010

Amber, baby Amara dressed for a proper tea

Tabitha and baby having fun at:

A Traditional Tea with Baby and Me

One of my favorite day of the year is the day of our World Breastfeeding Week luncheon. The day is a chance to participate in a real breastfeeding community. All of our WIC chicks, La Leche League Leaders and any body else who happens to volunteer to help, start planning in early spring. The theme for World Breastfeeding Week is planned by WABA, an international group for breastfeeding advocacy to governments and UN agencies. This year the theme was Baby Friendly: 10 Easy Steps.

We love to party, where' s my hat mom?

Baby Friendly Hospital is a guide for any health agency to adopt the 10 evidence based policies that produce optimum support for breastfeeding mothers and babies. The process looks simple to the casual observer but when the process is started it doesn’t take long for the organizers to realize that changing corporate and hospital policies can be anything but.


Mommy, my dolly needs a hat too!

This year I volunteered to be the speaker and moderator, mostly because our hospital has begun the Baby Friendly process, and I just have way too much fun at this shin dig.

Great hat mom, but I love you best!

I suggested a traditional Tea this year. I got the idea from my dear mother. We went to a local tea room this spring and had a ball trying on the hats, having tea, fancy sandwiches and cookies. So, our planning began. Tea it would be. Each agency would decorate a table or two and our hospital would fix the lunch. What fun.

Mommy, can we wear our hats to church Sunday?

I had an inspiration and rented a dozen vintage hats from our local civic theatre and planned our table. We would be a Victorian theme. I had some antique china plates, cut glass and lacy table clothes. Asotin County WIC planned an American Girl doll themed table, North Central WIC would have quited table settings and depression glass. Niimii poo Tribal Wic would have a native people theme, and to top it off La Leche League would have a mad hatter table! Well, did we have fun or what!

Devonny, one of our La Leche Leaders

We probably had 40 moms and babies in all kinds of fancy duds. We played breastfeeding jeopardy, gave away tons of door prizes. Babies nursed to their hearts content, moms laughed and shared stories and wisdom. Grandmas and WIC counselors basked in pride. Breastfeeding mothers should always be totally comfortable and supported in our communities. This little effort shows us all how it’s suppose to be. Breastfeeding is normal.

Mommy and I are a team!

Beautiful baby and her mama


Lunch was great, thanks to everyone!